Spring cam mechanism for stowing a monitor

Abstract

An apparatus is described which includes a frame, a video monitor display mounted to the frame, a torque shaft coupled to the frame such that rotation of the torque shaft causes the frame to pivot along a predetermined arc. The apparatus further involves engaging to the torque shaft to impart rotational motion to the torque shaft, a releasable cam follower slidably disposed on the cam shaft and a spring mounted on the cam shaft exerting a spring bias force directed toward the cam so as to cause rotational motion of the cam.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An apparatus comprising: 
       a frame;  
       a video monitor display mounted to the frame;  
       a torque shaft coupled to the frame such that rotation of the torque shaft causes the frame to pivot along a predetermined arc;  
       a cam having a cam shaft with a first end and a second end, the cam operatively coupled to the torque shaft for imparting rotational motion to the torque shaft;  
       a releasable cam follower slidably disposed on the cam shaft first end such that upon rotation of the cam the cam follower moves along the cam shaft toward the second end;  
       a spring mounted on the cam shaft second end having a spring bias force directed toward the cam shaft first end, the spring operatively coupled to the cam so as to cause rotational motion of the cam.  
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: a power source coupled to the torque shaft. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising: a clutch coupled to the power source and engaging the torque shaft so as to regulate rotational motion. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the spring is a compression spring. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the compression spring exerts a biasing force of between 140 and 405 pounds per inch in rotating the cam. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus predetermined pivot arc is between a first position where the apparatus is stowed and a second position where the monitor can be viewed by a viewer. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the power source rotates the apparatus from a first position where the apparatus is stowed to a second position where the monitor can be viewed by a viewer. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the power source is an electric motor. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus may be viewed by a viewer when in a second position and stowed while in a first position, and the bias force of the spring pivots the apparatus from the second position to the first position. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the display unit further comprises a brake operatively connected to the power source adapted to hold the monitor in the second position. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein upon application of a pre-determined force against the apparatus while deployed in the second position, the cam follower releases the bias force of the spring to rotate the apparatus to the first position. 
     
     
       12. A display unit having a video monitor, the display unit attached to a structure comprising: 
       a torque shaft coupled to the display unit;  
       a power source coupled to the torque shaft imparting rotational motion to the display unit;  
       a cam shaft coupled to the power source;  
       a cam coupled to the cam shaft operatively engaging the display unit such that when the cam is rotated the display unit is moved from a first position where it is stowed to a second position where the unit can be viewed by a viewer;  
       a releasable cam follower mounted on the cam shaft and engaging the cam such that rotation of the cam displaces the cam follower along the cam shaft in a first direction away from the cam;  
       a spring mounted on the cam shaft and engaging the cam follower such that upon rotation of the cam to move the display unit from the first to the second position the cam follower compresses the spring and the bias force of the compressed spring rotates the cam so as to move the display unit from the second position to the first position.  
     
     
       13. The display unit of  claim 12 , wherein the spring is a compression spring. 
     
     
       14. The display unit of  claim 13 , wherein the compression spring exerts a bias force of between 140 to 404 pounds per square inch. 
     
     
       15. The display unit of  claim 12 , wherein the power source is an electric motor. 
     
     
       16. The display unit of  claim 12 , further comprising a brake operatively connected to the power source adapted to hold the monitor in the second position. 
     
     
       17. The display unit of  claim 12 , wherein when the display unit is in the second position, the cam follower releases upon the application of a pre-determined force to the display unit, and the spring bias force moves the display unit to the first position.